The ABCC is pursuing the CFMMEU and eight organisers for repeatedly refusing to show entry permits at a major Queensland road project on the basis they were responding to safety issues as "concerned citizens, not as union officials".
The construction watchdog is investigating whether Master Builders Tasmania charged induction fees for more than 120 Chinese plasterers in order to work on a major project in Hobart.
A reduction of more than 60% in external legal expenses has steered the construction watchdog into operating profit for the 2017-18 financial year, as it continues a recent shift to initiating fewer court cases at the same time as it has been winning record penalties against the CFMMEU.
ABCC deputy commissioner Cathy Cato, who acted as the watchdog's leader when long-serving head Nigel Hadgkiss left last year, has resigned to take up a senior state public sector job.
In a significant blow to ABCC attempts to rein in the behaviour of union officials by holding them personally liable for breach fines, the Federal Court has today ruled that an offender's past record must be taken into account before imposing such conditions.
The ABCC will continue to take a strict line against the flying of the Eureka and CFMMEU flags on construction sites, despite the Fair Work Commission finding that it does not breach freedom of association.
The construction watchdog has written to a parliamentary committee to "clarify" the time at which senior managers became aware the agency had incorrect advice on its website, an issue that led to the resignation of former ABCC chief, Nigel Hadgkiss.
The High Court has today accepted that courts can make orders to stop union officials seeking or accepting payments from their unions towards penalties imposed for unlawful conduct.
